The use of non-renewable plastic packaging poses significant environmental challenges. To address these issues, researchers are focused on developing sustainable packaging materials that are environmentally friendly alternatives. The carrageenan (CG), a polysaccharide derived from seaweed, has been processed into a packaging film and studied for food packaging applications due to its distinctive physicochemical properties. CG-based films have garnered attention due to their abundant availability, ability to form films, and overall effectiveness. The current review outlines recent advances in the preparation of CG-based films for various fields of food packaging, such as active, edible, and antimicrobial packaging. Moreover, a brief insight is provided into the effect of additive inclusion on physicochemical, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties of CG-based films. The suitability of different types of CG, such as kappa (κ), iota (ι), and lambda (λ) for food packaging applications is also discussed by considering their individual film-forming abilities, gel strength, and compatibility with functional additives. The use of CG-based films in food preservation, including their ability to extend the shelf life of fruits, vegetables, meats, and dairy products, is also reviewed. Furthermore, the review addresses the challenges and limitations associated with CG-based films, such as their sensitivity to moisture, mechanical strength, and difficulties in commercial-scale production. The consumer perception and safety aspects related to the use of CG films in food contact applications are also highlighted in the present review. Overall, this review presents a comprehensive overview of CG-based films, covering their preparation, properties, applications, safety, limitations, and future research directions for their development as eco-friendly food packaging materials.

This research aims to use energy harvested from conductive materials to power microelectronic components. The proposed method involves using vibration-based energy harvesting to increase the natural vibration frequency, reduce the need for battery replacement, and minimise chemical waste. Piezoelectric transduction, known for its high-power density and ease of application, has garnered significant attention. Additionally, graphene, a non-piezoelectric material, exhibits good piezoelectric properties. The research explores a novel method of printing graphene material using 3D printing, specifically Direct Ink Writing (DIW) and fused deposition modelling (FDM). Both simulation and experimental techniques were used to analyse energy harvesting. The experimental technique involved using the cantilever beam-based vibration energy harvesting method. The results showed that the DIW-derived 3D-printed prototype achieved a peak power output of 12.2 µW, surpassing the 6.4 µW output of the FDM-derived 3D-printed prototype. Furthermore, the simulation using COMSOL Multiphysics yielded a harvested output of 0.69 µV.

The growing awareness regarding environmental issues is prompting a transition from synthetic fibers to plant fiber‐reinforced composites for eco‐friendly applications across the automotive, aerospace, and marine sectors. In this study, we evaluated the impact of the silicon carbide (SiC) additive on the mechanical and water absorption (WA) characteristics of hybrid composites (HC) made of snake grass (SG) and luffa cylindrica (LC) fibers. Tensile analysis showed that the presence of 7.5 wt% SiC raised the tensile strength (TS) to 59.22 MPa with an increase of 38.91%. However, the increase of SiC to 10.0 wt% resulted in a reduction of strength to 53.21 MPa, with a 24.82% improvement, due to weakened adhesion between the fiber and matrix. The neat composites (SG/LC) exhibited a flexural strength (FS) of 61.27 MPa. The maximum FS was 78.63 MPa at 7.5 wt% SiC; however, increasing SiC content to 10.0 wt% led to a reduction in strength to 72.36 MPa because of particle aggregation. Impact testing results confirmed that adding SiC enhanced the fiber‐matrix interface, thereby improving load transfer and enhancing the HC's ability to absorb and dissipate impact energy. The WA behavior of the SG/LC‐SiC composites showed improvement with increasing SiC content, achieving a minimum of 14.89% at 7.5 wt% SiC, which is due to improved interfacial bonding and reduced voids. This research underscores the benefits of HC materials prepared from SG and LC fibers for applications in vehicle interiors and construction, such as wall panels and separators. Highlights: Incorporating 7.5 wt% SiC increases tensile strength by 38.91%. Flexural strength reaches a peak of 78.63 MPa with the inclusion of 7.5 wt% SiC. Water absorption decreases to 14.89% at 7.5 wt% SiC inclusion.